SSS-Rank Overlord: Defend the Dungeon or Die-Chapter 174: Episode

Mission Day 2.

As forewarned, the Kantime Kingdom’s army had advanced to the capital’s walls. A total of 100,000 troops, all clad in black armor, stood in perfect formation.

[Kantime Kingdom Army]

[Shield Bearers: 10,000]

[Cavalry: 10,000]

[Infantry: 40,000]

[Archers: 20,000]

[Mages: 5,000]

[Knights: 3,000]

[Infiltrators: 2,000]

[Priests: 5,000]

[Siege Engineers: 5,000]

The sheer numbers were staggering. In contrast, the remaining forces in Baltricia were severely lacking.

[Agnis Kingdom Army]

[Infantry: 8,000]

[Cavalry: 2,000]

[Archers: 5,000]

[Priests: 2,000]

[Siege Engineers: 3,000]

[Shield Bearers: 4,000]

[Mages: 3,000]

[Knights: 3,000]

Thanks to Kubik bringing his knight order, their knight count was at least similar. However, the disparity in other soldiers was severe.

From atop the castle wall, Hendrick identified the woman at the army’s forefront.

[Commander-in-Chief Heires]

[Rank: S]

[Level: 86]

[Class: Dark Knight]

[Title: Knight Commander of the Kantime Kingdom]

[Affiliation: Dark Knight Order Commander]

[Status: Satisfied, Joyful]

[Description: Heires, the Dark Knight Order Commander of the Kantime Kingdom. She primarily uses swordsmanship imbued with dark magic and is the one who captured Kondrik Balconis.]

Black hair spilled from under her helmet, her features strong, a long scabbard hanging at her waist. As commander-in-chief, she exuded a formidable aura.

Heires took off her helmet and accepted a fan from a nearby knight.

"Oh my. This looks good on me. Thank you."

She covered her mouth with the fan and looked up at the castle wall, instantly pinpointing Hendrick’s location. The two of them locked eyes and sneered.

"Looks like you became a magician," she called out. "Wearing a robe and everything. You don’t look the part, but the getup gives it away."

"You’re not one to talk," Hendrick retorted. "You used to walk around in thin scraps of cloth like an exhibitionist, and now you’re wearing plate armor. Isn’t it terribly stuffy?"

"Hahahaha! Try your best to stop me. I’ll torment you slowly."

"You can look forward to it."

Their first exchange ended quickly.

---

The capital, Baltricia, was situated on a high hill with five gates made of specially smelted iron, each leading inside via steep stairs. Even if the enemy broke through, they would have to cross the entire city to reach the royal castle.

’So we have to defend the gates and hold the line. I talked big to Mihye, but we’re definitely at a disadvantage. What should I do?’

Their only real strength was the 3,000 knights Kubik had brought. Although he, the archmage, and Kubik, the kingdom’s best knight, were present, they couldn’t fight alongside the soldiers indefinitely.

Hendrick naturally found himself glancing at Kubik. Command authority belonged solely to Rinal, but his subjects were there to assist him.

’If I try to position the knight order now, a conflict will arise immediately.’

Kubik’s favorability was a mere 15, and his status was ’Displeased.’ A clash was unavoidable. Even now, he only spoke with Deis, showing no intention of conversing with a magician.

Just then, Rinal, who had been watching quietly, spoke up.

"Kubik, why do you not exchange a single word with Hendrick? He is also a subject who came all the way from the Mage Tower to help me. Is it not your duty to cooperate?"

"Ahem. I was just about to bring that up, Your Highness."

"You have always detested magicians. But for now, forget everything and work together."

"...I will obey your command."

Kubik glared at Hendrick with a sullen face. As the teacher who had always taught Rinal magic, it was understandable that the prince would rely on him. But as a knight, Kubik found those who wielded mana disagreeable.

"It seems we two were the only ones talking," Kubik said, turning to Hendrick. "I apologize. However, I do not believe that you, a magician, know much about war. Am I wrong?"

"K-Kubik! What do you mean by that?" Rinal interjected.

"As always, you’re just planning to provide a little support from the rear, aren’t you?" Kubik pressed on, ignoring the prince. "What would magicians cooped up in the Mage Tower doing research all day know about war?"

Kubik approached and growled fiercely. Deis tried to stop him, glancing nervously at Rinal, but Kubik wouldn’t listen. They clearly did not see each other as equals.

Hendrick stroked his chin and looked at the seated prince.

’The ’Affection’ status is bothersome, but I can definitely use his favorability. For now, I’ll ignore Kubik and focus on the prince.’

It would mean ignoring Deis as well, but Rinal was the one giving the orders. Hendrick moved to stand right beside him.

"Your Highness Rinal, how much food and supplies does Baltricia currently have?"

"Mm. If we defend the castle as we are, we have enough to last about two weeks. It’s a woefully inadequate amount. Why do you ask, Hendrick?"

"Your Highness, you must keep this in mind. No matter what happens, you must never send the troops outside the castle gates."

"I don’t understand, but I will do as you say. B-By the way, could you step back a little? You’re too close."

Rinal lowered his head, his face flushed. Hendrick hastily stepped back. He had gotten too close while trying to whisper in his ear.

’I don’t have that kind of hobby, either. Anyway, will this be enough for now? Those two are a problem, but it should be fine for the moment.’

For the defending side, sending troops out was a suicide mission. Heires would surely try to provoke them. If they fell for it, it would be a disaster. Hendrick bowed to Rinal in apology and let out a sigh of relief.

Just then, two voices echoed in his mind.

[Kubik Alons: So now you’re ignoring my words and approaching His Highness directly.]

[Deis Brotanian: I knew he and Kubik didn’t get along, but I’m the commander-in-chief. Is he going to help His Highness without even asking my opinion? Isn’t that too much, Hendrick?]

It was the current psychological state of Kubik and Deis. Hendrick realized his mistake as he read the messages.

’I can check their psychological state, too? Why did this appear so late?’

If he could utilize the system like this, it would have been much easier to win over Kubik from the start. Hendrick rubbed his forehead and sighed. Now that it had come to this, he had no choice but to continue focusing on Rinal.

’Well, I have to try.’

---

Mission Day 3.

The Kantime army had not yet begun their siege, a ploy to heighten the anxiety within the Agnis Kingdom. As proof, Rinal’s own anxiety was gradually worsening. Though the troops were stationed within the city, he likely didn’t feel very secure.

"Hmph. Even the Kantime army is too scared to attack," Kubik scoffed.

"I don’t think so," Deis countered. "I think they’re preparing something."

Deis was right. It certainly seemed like they were preparing something. Hendrick stroked his staff, trying to discern Heires’s intentions.

Just then, hostages were dragged out onto the plains.

"Y-Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty Balconis!"

"F-Father?!" Rinal cried out.

It was a group of hostages that included King Kondrik Balconis. Heires brought them to the front and began to torture them one by one.

’This is bad. This will evoke fear, dread, and anger from the Agnis army. Is her plan to make the troops come out on their own?’

Kondrik’s turn was approaching. Heires was exploiting the prince’s youth with this cruel tactic. Now, all the soldiers and subjects of Baltricia would be forced to watch.

Rinal couldn’t contain his anger and shot up from his seat.

"Send out the soldiers at once! We must save my father!"

"Your Highness, my knight order will crush those bastards! Just give the word—"

"You must not," Hendrick cut in sharply. If Kubik also got swept up in the moment and the knights charged out, they would be throwing away their main force. "Your Highness, have I not told you? Under no circumstances are the troops to be sent outside the castle gates."

"Hendrick, you see that and tell me to stand idly by?" Rinal raged. "I can no longer bear it! I will rescue my father from the clutches of those wicked fiends!"

"Your Highness Rinal!"

"Do not try to stop me! Deis, deploy the troops with the knights immediately!"

At last, the situation he had feared unfolded. Deis broke into a cold sweat at Rinal’s command, then promptly slammed his forehead to the floor.

"Your Highness, Hendrick is undoubtedly correct! We cannot send the troops out like this! I implore you, please, retract that order!"

"Ugh..." Rinal ground his teeth. "You too, Deis? I am deeply disappointed in you both. My father is about to be tortured by those bastards, yet you insist on being so stubborn!"

"Your Highness!" Deis protested.

"Enough. If you won’t do it, I’ll give the order myself. Kubic, with me!" With that, Rinal stormed out of the room, Kubic in tow.

Hendrik sighed and extended a hand toward Deis, but he slapped it away, his eyes filled with disappointment.

"Hendrik, if you had just told me sooner, none of this would have happened," Deis said, his voice sharp. "I knew Kubic was uneasy, but advising His Highness alone was far too reckless!"

Hendrik remained silent.

"If we had stood together, if we had warned him more forcefully, he might have changed his mind. What were you trying to accomplish by yourself?"

The favorability rating was plummeting. Deis was right; if they had presented a united front, this disaster might have been averted. It was a fatal mistake. Had he understood the psychology system earlier, he would have focused on winning over Kubic and Deis from the very beginning.

’This is not going well at all,’ Hendrik thought. ’I really have no talent for this. I might be leaving the rookie with too great a burden.’

The castle gates were already creaking open as knights and soldiers sallied forth. They would likely use the cavalry to attempt a rescue, but their speed would be their downfall. They would be annihilated before they even reached their target. Hendrik scratched his head and glanced at his skills. They were all essentially single-use abilities, each consuming a significant amount of mana.

’So I just have to stand here and watch?’ His expression soured.

---

Meanwhile, Heires watched the Agnis forces mobilize and let out a contemptuous sneer. Just as she’d planned, soldiers and knights charged out to rescue Condrick.

"What are you all waiting for? Get into position as I instructed!" she commanded.

"Yes, ma’am!" her soldiers roared back.

Shieldbearers fanned out while mages, positioned behind them, began casting spells at the charging cavalry. The horsemen, however, used their superior mobility to expertly weave through the volley of fireballs.

"The mages of Kantaim are nothing!" an Agnis knight bellowed. "Rescue His Majesty at once!"

"Waaaah!" a unified roar erupted from the Agnis ranks.

Carried by their momentum, they charged straight for Condrick. Just then, from behind the Kantaim mages, a new threat emerged—archers let loose a volley of arrows.

’Fwoosh!’

They were fire arrows, their tips thickly coated in oil. Flames erupted wherever a fireball had landed, turning the battlefield into an inferno. The cavalry had no choice but to charge straight through the blaze.

Watching the knights and cavalry press forward, Heires issued another command. "Shieldbearers, spread out further. Completely surround those Agnis bastards."

"Yes, ma’am!"

The shieldbearers instantly fanned out to the left and right, isolating the Agnis forces. Their retreat was cut off, their chance of a breakthrough gone. Confusion rippled through their ranks before a knight made a desperate call.

"If it’s come to this, we’ll group together and rescue His Majesty! Everyone, with me!"

"Yes, sir!"

The remaining troops converged on Condrick’s position, attempting one last breakthrough. But it was hopeless. Dozens of overlapping barriers cast by the Kantaim priests thwarted their final charge.

"Now, my children," Heires purred, a cruel smile on her lips. "It’s time to feast. Shieldbearers, close the distance and cut off their mobility. The rest of you, eliminate the knights first!"

"Yes, ma’am!"

And just like that, a staggering one thousand knights and over three thousand soldiers were slaughtered.

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